PUBLIC consultation on the design of the King Street Bridge’s replacement is set to begin this month, ahead of its impending demolition.

Residents and business owners in the vicinity of the bridge were notified via letter of the public consultation starting on the new concept, which are the Department of Infrastructure and Transport’s (DIT) second draft of the plans.

Due to the existing bridge being too short to accommodate the required infrastructure to electrify the line, it is set to be demolished and replaced with a higher, pedestrian-only structure.

The department held an earlier round of public consultation in December last year, but the plans were not received favourably by the community.

“Feedback from the engagement included minimising local impacts, improving integration and creating a bridge structure that is sympathetic to the character of the surrounding area,” the letter read.

“Based on this community feedback and feedback from Town of Gawler elected members, a proposed bridge design has been developed.

“Further advice on the current design has been provided by the Town of Gawler staff and their independent heritage advisor.”

Last month, DIT representatives refused to give a presentation outlining the new plans at a Gawler Council committee meeting after elected members said it should be made in public, not in confidence.

According to the letter, local works on the electrification project are set to begin later this year, which will include installing fencing, steel masts and overhead wiring; vegetation management; common service trenching and the King Street Bridge’s replacement.

Feedback forms can be downloaded from the DIT website, with the public consultation process set to end in October.